Name

Barb Van Stensel

E-mail

Contact Barb Van Stensel

Address

Chicago, IL, 60625

             

 

Real Estate today has become more complex and detailed then it was when I started to learn from the ground floor up from the family Real Estate business in Grand Rapids, Michigan, way back "in my day". 

Celebrating over 100 years perspective of the real estate sector, being third generation has its privileges, yet responsibilities that have laid the foundation and built the framework of a highly and successful real estate family business.

My credo is my morale code that forms a blueprint for my client's success.  It is my compass, my guide and the source of its enduring strength as one of the longest family-owned and operated real estate practices that is now going into its fourth generation.

Responsibilities and expectations are not light in our family and in my business.  One learns from the ground floor up in our family.  I was trained in every aspect of the indusry that enables me to be the person that the consumer would go to, can rely upon and be able to get results in confidence.  "Can Do" is a policy as well as "no" is not an option but an opportunity and we make miracles happen for our clients. 

It has been said "that anybody can put a post in the ground, put the property in the MLS and prayer that the buyer comes."   Those are three good first steps but it takes more to selling a home then just that.  Because of my background in appraising, I have to understand the neighborhoods, the trends, the changes and what is not changing.  When the market adjusts, I shift with the market and not chase it.  Constantly monitoring the changes, the demands by the consumers, the banks, the City gives my buyers and sellers the Edge in Real Estate.

Like the song "Getting to Know You", I need to understand the product I am selling as well as getting acquainted with my sellers when marketing your home.  What's your motivation? 

I talk to my clients personally during the listing period at least twice a week with updates, as well as after all showings.  I answer my phone or will call my clients back within the hour.  Monday through Saturday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Sundays from 12:30 p.m. until 6:00 p.m., unless we are negotiating a contract.

When I sell a home, the Seller's are now on my team.  Together, we devise a plan that is mutually agreed upon that would get the seller sold for full market value in a reasonable amount of time.  In this marketplace, you know that you need a REALTOR with experience who has weathered the good and bad storms in real estate successfully.  You do not need a Realtor who is only sharing stories from the good and sunny times.

I do not put lockboxes on my property listings.  I or my assistant are at all showings to motivate, educate and encourage the potential buyer(s) and their agent to understand the house and the value that it lends along with the potential, especially when most buyer's agents/representatives are not closers.

I will not do dual agency to save you a commission.  It generally is costly to the seller to go that route and a savings of 1-2% on a commission could cost the seller well let's just say that I the seller neted $30K more with me on a recent deal just to save $5,200 in commission.  I am hired to represent either the seller or the buyer.  

I understand contractual law, underwriting guidlines in financing and how to get the property qualified for the Lender as well as the Buyer. 

It's a WIN-WIN for any of my clients because of my knowledge in appraising, staging, marketing, financing and strong negotiation skills.

I Sell Listings.  I Don't Take Listings.

Background:

• Relocation Work in Michigan and Illinois (Appraising and Sales)
• Preferred Appraiser for major banks in the Chicagoland Area
• Rehabber and Building (Illinois and Michigan)
• Sales (Illinois)
• Short Sales, Pre-foreclosures (America)
• Estates - Liquidate Estates to yield highest market value
• Property Management
• Building and Development
• Investment Counseling
• Stager - Stage homes and make recommendations to yield maximum value
• Represent Home Sellers/Buyers against the City of Chicago re: code violations, zoning issues, real estate related re property taxes
• Appeal Tax Assessments
• Marketing for major corrugated manufacturer - showed major corporation clients how to increase profits with minor changes in packaging, how to reduce loss on shipping, and redesigned layout for point purchase displays as wll as had quarterly product knowledge sminears for the buyers of major corporations to learn how to cut costs yet yield a higher return on said changes
• Worked for a major Chicago Law Firm performing due diligence re acquisitions and mergers. 

MY CREDO:  My responsibility is to my clients and then the community.  In meeting their needs, everything I do must be of high values.  It is a business that challenges its own beliefs and continuously matches through actions.  It is a roadmap that helps me identify the right priorities and arrive at the right decisions. 

My cup is more than half full.

When I put a home under contract, it closes.  

My buyers love working with me because of my background in finance and appraising topped with my construction and code knowledge which gives them the added benefit of knowing alot more and understanding the contract, the house be by the time we write the contract.

Oh, the short:  I don't do brownies.  I have yet to be successful, even from a box.

WHAT CLIENT'S SAY ......

 

Thank You ...for helping me closing my grandmother's home.  I cannot thank you enough for all the energies, logic and passion you put into this file so that could get closed.   While I won't be in my grandmother's neighborhood anymore, you have given us closure.  Thank you. 

 

Words cannot express the gratitude I have towards you in representing me on the sale of my condo that had to be sold as a short sale.  Just when things seemed like they weren't moving in the right direction, you jumped in and made it happen.  When I couldn't face another day dealing with creditors and the bank - you supported me and showed me how to take that stress away.  When the bank was taking their sweet time and wouldn't respond to the attorney, you stepped in a figured out their email and got the file noticed.  Thank you for caring.

 

 

 

 

2522 N. McVicker - "You have my sincere thanks and deserve to be congratulated for doing a terrific job.  In my thirty years of private practice as an attorney, I have encountered many realtors and handled many real estate closings.  In all that time, I have never encountered two realtors who conducted themselves more competently and professionally.
     I was most grateful for your advice on how the property could best be marketed.  All of your help and advice was both practical and shrewd.  Your suggestions as to how to stage and present the property, as well as, your help in coordinating the repairs and redecorating made a huge difference in the sales price.  Also, your expertise in coordinating the financing provided invaluable in securing a quick sale and closing on time.
     The ultimate sales price you helped to negotiate and the net monies received by the estate, exceeded the suggested asking price of at least three other real estate agents I had consulted.  I am convinced that it was because of your conscientious efforts, skill and attention that I received an offer that exceeded all of my expectations."
     I still find it hard to believe that we were able to sell this property as quickly as we did in this difficult market."
                                                                                 - Paul E. Paprocki, Esq.

 

  

3130 West Wilson - I have had the great serendipitous fortune to have as my real estate agent, one Barbara Van Stensel.  Not only was she able to sell my property in a very tough real estate market, but also she was able to lease two of my apartments at a great rate of income for myself.

Put her at the head of the class for her diligence and indefatigable energy while dealing in a declining market.  She is the best!

                                                                     John A. Randazzo

 

 

 

5141 West Deming Place -  Thank you, thank you, thank you!  I am amazed at your unique marketing strategies that produced multiple offers for my two flat.  Your knowledge, courtesy, attention and tenancity during our assocaitino was much appreciated.  Because of the complexities of the estate, you disclosed in writing a letter of direction that weeded out the "players" that isolated the serious buyers.  When the first offer became overwhelming for the buyers, you didn't shut the doors to the multiple offers and had a backup offer in the rear to step up and close on the same date as the first offer. 

Best of luck in the future and you can be assured that I will not hesitate to recommend your services when the occasion arises. 

                                                                                  All my Best,

                                                                                  Carl Rohr

  2201 West Huron - I have been on the market twice with Barb.  The first time I thought I knew better but I was wrong.  This time, I worked with Barb and can tell you that she had my head spinning with multiple offers, not once but two times in two weeks!  The first round didn't qualify for buying my property as the agent who sold me this building 30 years ago, so me a bad building.  I didn't know it.  Barb explained to me the complexity of financing, where the fallout in a contract can happen because of the condition of my building.  She was showing the property the day before Thanksgiving and that entire Thanksgiving weekend in the cold!  On the second weekend, she brought 8 contracts to the table and explained about "net" is more then the selling price.  How financing plays an important part as well as how fast the agents on the buyer's side respond.  She then brought up to me that I may have to pay a capital gains tax and told me to consult with my accountant.  I did.  Once again, Barb saved me even more money and got my file into the hands of competent real estate attorneys that would hand my 1031 exchange and get it closed for me. 

Barb has become my friend.  She's tough and has a certain level of expectations.  I told her that I wanted to retire in 5 years and she sat me down and explained a retirement plan where I will have $40,000 coming every year based upon her plan with good tax write-offs.  She protected my interests all the way through and even guided me into a worry-free retirement in my future.

                                                                        With thanks,

                                                                         Jan Capiz